Former Deja Vu building strips off its beige coat for 'shocking pink'

MONTCLAIR -- Deja Vu strip club may be gone, but its kitschy Pepto Bismol-colored exterior that adorned the building more than a decade ago has unexpectedly returned.

As part of a 10-year-old legal settlement between the club and San Bernardino County, the building was painted a specific shade of beige, said David Wert, spokesman for the county.

An attorney for San Bernardino County sent a notice of violation to the company last week notifying it that it has until Friday to paint the building beige again.

The settlement required Tollis Inc., which operated the strip club, to meet with the county to discuss any changes, Wert said. If the two sides can't come to an agreement, the dispute will have to go to court, he said.

"We don't really know what is going on and why it was changed," Wert said. "It is in violation of the agreement."

An attorney for the Tollis Inc. declined to comment.

The former adult venue, at Central Avenue and Mission Boulevard, was allowed to remain open as an adult entertainment venue with no alcohol sales until it closed Nov. 2.

Tollis applied for a conditional-use permit to operate Deja Vu as a sports bar and comedy club and to sell beer, wine and hard liquor.

The building's owners are at odds with the county over the terms of the permit, including whether it allows the existing 34-foot sign. The county does not allow signs taller than 25 feet, and the applicant has been unable to provide any permits from the county indicating the height was approved.

The conditional-use permit to operate as a sports bar was due to be taken up by the county Board of Supervisors on several occasions but has since been halted at Tollis' request, Wert said.

On Monday, a week after the painting began, Montclair City Council members expressed their displeasure for the bright new paint. The business is just outside Montclair city limits and beyond the city's jurisdiction.

Councilman Bill Ruh, referring to the color as a "shocking pink," said he believes it's an advertising ploy.

The city has spent the past several years attempting to rehabilitate that area of the city, which also includes unincorporated property, he said.

"Their action makes me question whether or not they intend to be good operators," Councilman John Dutrey said.

Steve Lustro, Montclair's community development director, said the city was tipped off last Tuesday that the building was being painted bright pink. Lustro said he believed the work was completed last Wednesday.

Dutrey questioned whether the owners were acting out in defiance over the application process.

"Is it because things are not going well in negotiations?" Dutrey asked. "The folks that are being hurt by this is the surrounding businesses."